Internet, Facebook, Cell phone, i-pod, hangout’s, bike, girlfriend, boyfriend, best buddy etc……I might have missed some more but just in case you are not left confused, these are few words which goes hand-in-hand with almost every youngster in the present day context. I find myself related to almost each of the term mentioned, and most of my fellow beings are also likely to feel the same. In no manner, I am intended to criticize or point out the merits or demerits of the above words in our lives but, yes, I am about to share my opinion on one of the most happening and rather unfortunate force of action misleading our youngsters- “Peer pressure”. Going through the article, eventually you will realize why I’ve used the above words and are more or less related to my purpose of writing. “Peer pressure” as it is said, can be defined as pressure from a group of people of the same age, status, interests, etc. and in case of youngsters, friends mostly. In fact, in the modern day era, whatever the youngsters do or strive to do, if followed could almost be well related to the interest of their friends or as to say best buddies. Not that they don’t have their own plans or desires, it’s just that gradually peer pressure or the actions and saying of their friends is developing a strong grip over the perception of the younger generation regarding their day-to-day activities. Every one of us are well aware that knowledge generates interest and interest stimulates action. This phenomenon is very well, a part of everything that we do, follow or contend to do. Now, what if the source of knowledge could be your friend’s and why not, if they are the one’s you share most of your time with apart from family. After all, knowledge is to be shared as well and there is nothing wrong with this process until the subject matter based on which things are shared is good enough and have a positive impact on the lives of such kids.
Unfortunately, facts and figure depict a different scenario altogether. The ever increasing under-age drinking cases, drunk and driving, drug addiction or suicide cases, every aspect hold a different and a very sad ending, and push aback the hopes relating to every youngster and his family as well. This is where peer pressure comes in. Be it, a young boy forcing his folks to get him a new bike all of a sudden, or a 18 year old arguing with her mother asking her to support her love-life ambitions with the love of her life. Phew! How amazing and unrealistic it may seem, but the reality is that the above cases are quite common and are increasing at an alarming rate. Someone young, whose parents might have bought him a bike with the rarest of willingness, might actually enforce his best friend to persuade his parents to get him one as well. Least does he care to mention about the risks associated, or factors such as affordability of his parents, or the numerous negotiations he might have undertaken with his folks. Leave alone bikes and gadgets, according to a leading english daily, social networking has played appreciably good strokes in leading to depression amongst youngsters. Off course, it’s global approach and wide network can’t be questioned but, there are cases reported whereby due to one’s unacceptability among friends over facebok/twitter, or due to subsequent arousal of inferiority complex over petty issues going over such sites, youngsters specially the teenagers resort to steps as drastic as suicide.
It is of utmost importance for every youngster to understand that each one of us come from a different and in most cases rather complex family background. Whatever happens or is accepted in our family might just be another bad idea to the other family and vice-versa. Henceforth, every single thing that we do or every single habit that we possess, should be chosen very carefully. Not that everytime our friends convey the wrong idea, it is also at times, a matter of how we derive the actual meaning. Last week, I happened to visit Goa for an outing along with some of my friends. Not to mention, we had a lovely time out there but, after returning some of my friends amongst whom, some I had met for the very first time asked me only about the ‘hard drinks’ we had and none bothered to ask about the places we visited or things which could be asked to someone coming from a holiday. Tired of conversation related only to beer and alcohol, I splitted out and overheard someone say, ” We will be visiting Goa too….and shall be drunk crazy”. Talk of peer pressure man!!! I wondered if Goa is a state earning a maximum share of it’s revenue from tourism because of its scenic beauty and wonderful landscapes, or because of it’s finely brewed beer and pheni. Issue to ponder upon?? The urgent need of the youngsters should be to uplift the originality in your thoughts and action. We should be able to think cleary regarding the aftermath of our do’s and don’ts and proceed keeping in-sight our views and not that of someone else because, each one of us have different expectations out of life and to achieve that we should make out the steps which best suits our ambition. I will not preach the idea of directly avoiding discussion with your buddies but then everything has its pros and cons. Its only through our judicious selection that we can make the best possible use of it and that selection, I leave to your abled judgement.
